What is PRP facial rejuvenation?
PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma, a concentrate made from a small sample of your own blood. After the tube is spun in a centrifuge, the platelets gather in the plasma, and this platelet-rich portion is injected into the skin. Platelets carry growth factors that take part in tissue repair, and that is the reason PRP is used to improve the skin.
Its job is skin quality: better texture, softer fine lines and a fresher overall look. Unlike fillers or surgery, it does not lift drooping tissue or put back lost volume.
What does the evidence show?
PRP is widely offered, so it helps to know exactly what the studies back up and where they fall short.
| Research | What it found |
|---|---|
| Systematic review, 24 studies (2020) | Modest, at least short-term improvement in facial appearance, texture and lines; texture had the most convincing data; how long the effect lasts is unknown |
| Systematic review, 20 studies (2025) | Best evidence for thicker, more elastic skin; least for hydration; no serious adverse events |
| Review of studies around the eyes (2025) | PRP looked more effective for under-eye pigment; long-term durability not yet clear |
| Expert review (2024) | Among skin and hair uses, androgenetic alopecia and skin rejuvenation have the strongest support, but protocols lack standardisation |
Overall, PRP looks safe and its benefits are modest and slow. People respond differently, and each clinic may prepare PRP in its own way, which makes studies difficult to compare.
In fact PRP is not one standard product. The reviews listed above describe differences in preparation, injected volume and session frequency, and experts have not yet agreed on the ideal protocol. For this reason Dr. Yazır talks through realistic expectations at the consultation and reviews the plan after the first course instead of promising an outcome beforehand.
Who is a good candidate for PRP facial rejuvenation?
| Often a good match | Better to hold off or talk it through |
|---|---|
| Lacklustre skin, rough texture or fine lines | Deep wrinkles or sagging better treated another way |
| First signs of skin ageing | Blood or platelet disorders |
| Preferring a treatment made from your own blood | Blood thinners or anti-platelet medicines (discuss beforehand) |
| Concerns about under-eye skin quality or pigment | Skin infection, cold sore or acne flare |
| Expecting slow, gradual change | Pregnancy, active cancer or serious illness |
How does PRP compare with other skin treatments?
| Option | Main target | Usual plan |
|---|---|---|
| PRP | Texture, fine lines, thickness and elasticity of the skin | Around 3 sessions, 4 weeks apart |
| Facial mesotherapy | Moisture and glow, with ready-made solutions | A series of sessions |
| Biological lifting injection | Skin quality, using an injectable skin booster | Course decided at the consultation |
| Dermal fillers | Lost volume and deep folds | Often one session |
If under-eye darkness is your concern, PRP is just one possibility. The page on dark circle mesotherapy explains how the cause of the darkness guides the choice.
How is PRP facial rejuvenation performed?
- Consultation. Dr. Yazır looks at your skin, goes over your health history and medicines, and is clear about what PRP can and cannot do.
- Numbing. Your face is cleaned and a numbing cream is applied.
- Blood sample. A little blood is drawn from your arm, much like a routine blood test.
- Processing. The centrifuge separates out the platelet-rich plasma.
- Application. Depending on the plan, the PRP is injected with a fine needle or worked into the skin with microneedling.
- Afterwards. A cool compress may be used, and most people return to their day immediately.
Dr. Yazır carries out every session himself at his clinic in the Egeperla building, Konak, Izmir.
What does recovery look like?
| After the session | Typical course |
|---|---|
| Same day | Redness, little bumps at the needle points, slight puffiness |
| Days 1 to 2 | Redness calms down; light make-up is generally fine after 24 hours |
| Days 3 to 7 | Small bruises, if any, are fading |
| Week 4 | Following session of the course |
| 1 to 3 months after the course | Texture and skin quality improve step by step |
During the first 24 hours, go without make-up and skip saunas, hard exercise and alcohol. Using sunscreen every day helps preserve the result.
How do I plan my trip to Izmir?
Sessions are spaced about a month apart, so PRP fits best for patients who come to Izmir regularly or who combine it with other treatments already planned.
| Stage | Timing that usually works |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Consultation and the first PRP session |
| Day 2 | Review before flying, if you wish |
| Return trips | Sessions two and three, about 4 weeks apart |
| Combined trip | PRP alongside other non-surgical treatments |
The clinic is roughly 25 to 30 minutes by car from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB). Before you travel, daylight photos of your skin sent by WhatsApp allow a first assessment. Dr. Yazır confirms the plan only after seeing you in person.
What are the risks of PRP?
The material comes from your own blood, so an allergic reaction to it is not expected, and systematic reviews have not reported serious adverse events. Side effects can include:
- Redness, puffiness and little bumps
- Bruises where the needle went in or where blood was drawn
- Short-term soreness
- Infection (uncommon; sterile technique lowers the risk)
- In some people, little or no visible change
Careful sterile preparation and a thorough health history help keep these risks low.
How long do results last?
Studies have not yet clearly shown how long PRP's effect on the skin lasts. Cleveland Clinic points out that PRP helps some people and not others. Many patients return for a maintenance session every 6 to 12 months and support it with sunscreen and a sensible skincare routine.